All-inclusives reinvented: the growing trend for Dine Outs
A small – but growing – number of all-inclusive resorts are adding the chance to have dinner in a local restaurant to their food and beverage offer. These are the trailblazers shaking up how the concept traditionally works, and here’s why your clients should embrace it.
Traditionally, all-inclusive has been defined by a resort’s footprint… privileges may abound; dinner in a beachfront restaurant one night, dinner in a different speciality restaurant another night – but all within the hotel boundaries.
And that’s one of the criticisms levelled at all-inclusive resorts – there is no incentive for guests to venture away from the hotel and bring additional financial benefits to the wider local area if they have already paid to be royally fed throughout the entirety of their stay.
But a few resorts are twisting the dial on this, and making sure that local businesses can still benefit, even when they are located in the shadow of an all-inclusive resort.
Ikos Resorts pioneered these dining adventures, which are standard practice in its resorts. From tavernas in Corfu and Kos to beachfront venues in Marbella and quaint tapas bars in Estepona’s Old Town, all guests have the chance to dine out at a local restaurant once during their stay for no extra cost.
Lee Barker, regional director of sales and marketing, Ikos Resorts, says: “The Dine Out offering has been a part of the wider Local Discovery concept since the first years of Ikos Resorts. This season, almost 10,000 dinner reservations were made across all Dine Out venues in Greece and Spain. This initiative showcases our continuous efforts to support local communities and bring growth to the destinations where we operate.”
For Sandals, another name synonymous with all-inclusive, the opening of Sandals Royal Curacao has presented the opportunity for the brand’s first off-site dining programme, Island Inclusive. Valid for seven-night minimum stays, the programme is available as an inclusion for those who have booked in butler level suites, as well as Sandals Select Reward Members.
Leah Marshall, director of sales at Unique Vacations UK, says: “This programme is an excellent way for clients to get out and see the destination of Curacao first-hand, to try the local cuisine and experience the local culture without having to worry about additional costs. One $250 voucher can be applied to qualifying guest bookings, which they can then choose to use on either a lunch or dinner out at a choice of eight local gourmet partner restaurants around the island, such as Mosa/Cana in Willemstad.
She continues: “We also include the transfers to and from the resort, so that clients don’t need to worry about finding a taxi to get themselves home afterwards. The Island Inclusive dining programme has been such a success that we are now hoping to roll it out in some of our other Sandals Resorts destinations.”
A Dine Out All-Inclusive Gourmet Plan is also offered at Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences, which is available for independent travel agents to book through Tui. As well as dining in the hotel’s international and Mexican-inspired restaurants, guests can visit the Marina Gold Zone in downtown Cabo San Lucas to enjoy speciality dining in five restaurants and bars with views of the Sea of Cortes and Land’s End.
Finally, Hollie Stillion, head of marketing partnerships at Wimbledon agency Swords Travel, has high praise for the Dine Out experience at Grecotel Lux Me White Palace in Crete. In addition to the seven restaurants on-site, guests can visit Agreco Farm for dinner, preceded by a guided tour of the farm estate, where centuries-old organic farming practices have been revived.
Hollie says: “The farm is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel up in the hills with incredible panoramic views, which are particularly stunning at sunset. It’s great to have this option included, as often when staying at all-inclusive resorts you miss out on the opportunity to try local restaurants. Here you get to try traditional Cretan dishes in the taverna, using ingredients that are fresh from the farm. It’s also a great place to visit with children as they have a mini-zoo on the farm as well as various other activities.”
Book it:
Inspiring Travel offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at Ikos Andalusia from £12,219, based on two adults and two children sharing. Flights included, departing Gatwick on 26 May 2024; inspiringtravel.co.uk
A seven-night stay for two adults at Sandals Royal Curacao in a Sunchi One Bedroom Beachfront Butler Suite costs from £4,899pp. Flights included, departing Heathrow on 27 September 2025; sellingsandals.co.uk
Tui offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at Hacienda Encantada from £1,445pp (two adults sharing), departing Heathrow on 11 November 2023; tui.co.uk
Classic Collection offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at Grecotel LUX ME White Palace from £6,486, based on two adults and two children sharing. Flights included, departing Gatwick on 25 May 2024; classic-collection.co.uk
*Find contact details for these suppliers in the TTG Travel Suppliers Directory
'I hope more all-inclusives can introduce this'
TTG features editor Katherine Masters took advantage of the Dine Out option while staying at Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki this summer.
“There were three restaurants to choose from, all typical Greek tavernas, within walking distance of the property gates, and we opted for dinner at Mouragio. On arrival, our name was crossed off a list by a waiter with a clipboard before we were shown to our table, and when we left, there was no bill to pay because Ikos takes care of that. It was an experience I’d highly recommend, and one I hope more all-inclusives can introduce. With its vine-covered courtyard, local customers and a few resident cats, the taverna felt very authentic, and it was great to feel like our meal out was helping to spread the economic benefits of tourism, even though we had booked all-inclusive. Plus, the food was delicious!”
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